For the first time in what feels like ages, we had a full four-hour coaching block. No matches, no tournaments, just pure futsal from start to finish. It was fantastic to see nearly all the girls back on court, fully focused and full of energy.

Today’s session was all about playing at speed and using overloads to create opportunities. We began with a 1v1 on a three-quarter court. As soon as the ball went dead or a goal was scored, another player entered to make it 2v1. The game progressed to 2v2, then 3v2, and continued building until we reached 5v5. We challenged the players to play with intensity and purpose. They were encouraged to recognise the overload and make the most of it quickly, especially when entering the court to create the advantage.

The standard of play was outstanding. There was sharp decision-making, smart movement, and relentless effort both in and out of possession. The energy, commitment, and teamwork on display were a real pleasure to watch. Excellent work from so many. We’re already looking forward to the next session.

Players of the Week:

First Hour – Charlotte C – She is such a fantastic young player, full of energy, passion, and commitment. She never stops working and brings a brilliant “pass, pass, pass” mindset every time she’s on the court. A top young lady and definitely one to watch for the future. Amazing start, Charlotte!

Second Hour – Bonnie-Shai C – Over the past few months, few players have shown as much improvement as Bonnie-Shai. Her physicality and work rate have come on leaps and bounds, and she’s been putting in the effort to develop her futsal technique. And wow, can she strike a ball! We can’t wait to see where she takes this next. Top, top day, Bonnie-Shai!

Third Hour – Ellie M – We’re always impressed by Ellie’s incredible work rate, and she continues to put in the effort to develop her technique. In today’s small group, she really stood out for her fantastic attitude and, as always, did it all with a big smile on her face. Very impressed, Ellie – keep it up!

Fourth Hour – Abbie D – This young lady just keeps getting better every time we see her. With fantastic pace and a relentless desire to take on players again and again, she’s a real attacking threat. There are a few small areas to keep working on, but without a doubt, she’s one for the new England U17 pathway. Abbie – we definitely think so!

Final Thoughts of a Coach…

Not many people achieve everything they want on their first try. Take my wife, for example. She recently earned a First-Class Honours degree and has been trying for over a year to get the job she truly wanted. She has filled out countless application forms, attended numerous interviews, and been told “no” more times than anyone should. It is hard to keep going in moments like that. Hard not to give up, to throw in the towel, to stop believing.

But this morning, she was finally offered the job she had been working towards. On a personal level, I am immensely proud of her. Her hard work, dedication, determination, and desire to succeed never faded. And now, all that effort has paid off.

Now think about how this connects to sport. How often do things go wrong in training or matches? Maybe a pass does not come off, a goal is missed, or the result does not go our way. It can be frustrating, especially when you are trying your best. But just like in life, what matters most is that you do not give up.

Perseverance in sport means sticking with it even when it is hard. It means learning from mistakes, trying again, and believing that your effort will lead to improvement. The best athletes are not perfect. They have just learned how to keep going when things do not go their way. Whether you are learning a new skill, working to get better, or pushing through a tough moment in a game, remember that progress takes time. You might not see it straight away, but if you keep going, it will come.

And when it does, the success will feel even better because you will know exactly how much work went into it.

Coach Chris